Intestinal lymphangiectasia. Long-term results with MCT diet.

The clinical course of 6 children with primary intestinal lymphangiectuasia who have been treated with low fat medium chain triglyceride-supplemented diets for between 3 and 8 years (4 for longer than 5 years) is described. Though laboratory findings indicate continuing chyle leak, evidence for long-term benefit from dietary treatment is provided by symptomatic relief while on the diet, clinical relapse upon relaxation of t,e regimen, and improvement in growth rates. In most patients the underlying lymphatic defect, and thus the need for dietary treatment, appears to be permanent.